how to move a large mailbox to Exchange 2007
I need to know any tips on moving large mailboxes from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007. By large, I mean mailboxes around 10 GB.
Should I just go thru the Move Mailbox wizard?
I also want to know how long it would take to move such a large mailbox. I understand it depends on a lot of factors but assume I have gigabit connectivity on all the servers and I'm running Dual Core Xeon processors with 4 GB of RAM. Also assume this is during off hours.
Should I stop any backup processes during the moves?
Should I just go thru the Move Mailbox wizard?
I also want to know how long it would take to move such a large mailbox. I understand it depends on a lot of factors but assume I have gigabit connectivity on all the servers and I'm running Dual Core Xeon processors with 4 GB of RAM. Also assume this is during off hours.
Should I stop any backup processes during the moves?
ASKER
how long do you think it will take?
How long is a piece of string?
There is no way of knowing how long it will take, as many factors will affect the speed - the performance of the storage at both ends, the network speed etc.
You could be looking at a couple of hours or more.
Simon.
There is no way of knowing how long it will take, as many factors will affect the speed - the performance of the storage at both ends, the network speed etc.
You could be looking at a couple of hours or more.
Simon.
Thats very difficult to guess, as it depends on many factors as mentioned by you earlier.
Why don't you move a test mailbox with 100 MB in size and then calculate the approximate time for moving a 10 GB mailbox.
Why don't you move a test mailbox with 100 MB in size and then calculate the approximate time for moving a 10 GB mailbox.
In a mailbox move, the number of messages in the mailbox plays a great role in the time it takes to move fron one server to another.
Rajith.
Rajith.
ASKER
i was trying to get a rough idea.
1. for example if i start the move on Friday at 5 pm and let it run all weekend, will it be done by Monday morning?
2. is there a limitation in the Exchange management console or the Management shell as far as the mailbox size? (ie like Exmerge has a 2 GB limit)
3. should i stop the backup process while moving mailboxes?
4. what's the best way to reduce the mailbox size before moving it? archive the messages? will Exchange 2003 automatically shrink the size of the mailbox after archiving? or do I have to take the database offline and run a command ?
1. for example if i start the move on Friday at 5 pm and let it run all weekend, will it be done by Monday morning?
2. is there a limitation in the Exchange management console or the Management shell as far as the mailbox size? (ie like Exmerge has a 2 GB limit)
3. should i stop the backup process while moving mailboxes?
4. what's the best way to reduce the mailbox size before moving it? archive the messages? will Exchange 2003 automatically shrink the size of the mailbox after archiving? or do I have to take the database offline and run a command ?
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ASKER
Once the messages are deleted from their inbox and deleted items, will Exchange automatically shrink that mailbox size?
On the backup, I was mostly concerned with corruption during the move if the backup process tries to access that mailbox.
On the backup, I was mostly concerned with corruption during the move if the backup process tries to access that mailbox.
Once the number of messages are reduced in you mailbox, it takes lesser time for the move.
Mailbox will be reduced in size, though the physical size of the mailbox database on the server will remain the same. You can only shrink it by running an offline defragmentation using eseutil.
In your case, once you have cleaned up the mailbox, you can start moving it into the new server. Once all mailboxes are moved, run a full backup to flush the logs and have a valid backup.
Rajith.
Mailbox will be reduced in size, though the physical size of the mailbox database on the server will remain the same. You can only shrink it by running an offline defragmentation using eseutil.
In your case, once you have cleaned up the mailbox, you can start moving it into the new server. Once all mailboxes are moved, run a full backup to flush the logs and have a valid backup.
Rajith.
ASKER
So let's say I clean up half the messages in a 10 GB mailbox. After I move it, will it only take up 5 GB on the new server?
That is correct. One thing to note is that your dumpster will be lost. (Emails deleted and stored until your deletion retention settings expires)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa997599.aspx